Gargellen - Silvretta Reservoir/Piz Buin

Start/Finish: the Bielerhöhe

The Silvretta High Alpine Road connects the Montafon in Vorarlberg with the Paznauntal in Tyrol. The route is about 22 km long and leads over 34 hairpin bends to the Bielerhöhe at an altitude of 2032 m.

The Silvretta is a mountain range in the Austrian federal states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg as well as in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The mountain chain is part of the Central Alps of the Eastern Alps. The Dreiländerspitze (3197 m) marks the border between Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and Graubünden.
Along the entire route, the area is dominated by Piz Buin (3312 m), the highest peak of this massif.
On the Montafon side, you drive through a rugged environment with deep valleys, barren, partially grassy rocks, and snow-covered peaks. Halfway, you pass the Vermuntsee, an old reservoir.
In the Paznauntal, there are only 2 hairpin bends on the route of the Silvretta High Alpine Road, but even here the surroundings are breathtaking.

Geologically, the "young" Silvretta area is interesting due to the tectonic collision of several chains, leading to bizarrely shaped sharp peaks and deep valleys.
In the fields, alpine roses bloom next to orchids and marsh flora can thrive in mountain lakes. High in the sky, you can see the imposing golden eagle flying.

Upon reaching the top of the Silvretta High Alpine Road near the Bielerhöhe, it is "mandatory" to stop and enjoy.
From the Bielerhöhe, various hikes are possible through one of the most beautiful hiking areas in the Alps, the Silvretta. Both climbers and hikers, from a leisurely family walk to a brisk hike, can indulge here.

The Silvretta reservoir circular hike with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the glacier is highly recommended and can be easily accomplished by anyone.
When we were there (June 2018), the circular path was unfortunately not possible due to work on the dam.
As an alternative, we drove along the Silvretta reservoir towards Piz Buin as far as we wanted. The entire hike to the foot of Piz Buin takes 5.5 hours.

Tips:
- The Silvretta High Alpine Road requires a toll and is usually open from June to October.
- From early July to late September, you can take a boat trip with a motorboat on the Silvretta reservoir. The boat can dock halfway, making a combination of walking and boating possible.
- Bring enough provisions for a day hike, there is plenty of refreshment at the Bielerhöhe, but no facilities along the way.